HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2, 2026 Minutes1
Art in Public Places Board Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026
AIPP Board members present: Lindsea Stowe, Susanne Graff, Tracy Gordon, Ramsey Cotter, Kathy
Langenwalter, Jared Biniecki & Kirk Hansen representing VRD for Dobson Art Selection Committee,
Courtney St. John Community Member – Dobson Art Selection Committee; Scott O’Connell – Deputy
Executive Director, Vail Recreation District; Tom Kassmel – Director Public Works, Town of Vail.
Others present: Molly Eppard - AIPP Coordinator; Squire Broel via zoom; Cortney Stell – Black Cube
Nomadic Art Museum.
1. Call to Order
2. Citizen Participation
Ian Grask – Compliments “Conversation with Jen Stark” program at the Vail Art Studio and noted
that James Kenly of the Vail Symposium was present complimenting the program as well. He
mentions Kenly would have invited the Symposium’s recent speaker, a NY Times art critic, to
extend his stay had he known more about the program with Jen Stark.
3. Main Agenda
3.1 Approval of January 12, 2026 meeting minutes.
January 12, 2026 Minutes.pdf
Ramsey motions to approve, Tracy seconds and all in favor.
3.2 Art Studio adjacent landscape design update, Gregg Barrie Landscape Architect Town
of Vail.
Art Studio North Lawn Concept Rendering
Gregg presents the proposed landscaping design for the area north of the Vail Art Studio in
collaboration with the BFAG.
3.3 Art Studio "Mud Room" site-specific proposal, Amy Dose & Pamela Olson Vail Art
Studio Challenge recognized artists.
Art Studio Mud Room Proposal
Kathy moves to approve the proposal as presented by Amy Dose in the amount of
$5,000, Tracy seconds and all in favor.
Molly discusses the possibility of activations with local potters and ceramicists in
connection with the installation.
3.4 Dobson Arena public art integration update and next steps discussion with Dobson
Arena Art Selection Committee and advisors.
Molly reviews the process and timeline dating back from July 2025 to the present for the
selection of Dobson Arena public art. This includes creating a project specific selection jury
as approved by the AIPP Board, as well as the Jan. 22 RFP meeting.
Molly reviews the established AIPP guidelines for the project specific selection jury and
advisors. This includes Black Cube Nomadic Musuem as the project managers for the
Dobson Arena public art selection process and Squire Broel providing conservation
consultation approved by the AIPP Board.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
A. ADVISORS
The AIPP Board may consult advisors for specific projects. Advisors may recommend
and/or provide professional guidance to the AIPP Board or to a project selection jury.
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Advisors may include, but are not limited to, art and architecture professionals,
appraisers, engineers, contractors, maintenance and conservation specialists.
B. PROJECT SPECIFIC SELECTION JURY
The AIPP Board together with the AIPP Coordinator will determine if a Selection Jury is
needed; if not, the AIPP Board shall serve as the selection jury. Selection jurists may include,
but are not limited to, art and architecture professionals, community representatives and
AIPP Board members.
Each juror has one vote. If a consensus cannot be reached, a majority vote carries the
decision. The jury has the right to make no selection if no proposal is judged to be of
sufficient merit.
Voting members of selection jury:
Art Selection Committee, composed of the Town’s Art in Public Places Board and staff
member, a staff and board member from the Vail Recreation District Board, and a resident of
the Town of Vail; including advisement from, a representative from Populous, and a
representative of Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum, as well as an art conservator. This
group ensures a balance of aesthetic, architectural, civic, and community perspectives.
Evaluation Criteria:
● Quality and Innovation: Proposed artworks should demonstrate artistic excellence and
innovation. While Dobson Arena is largely used for athletic purposes, the Art Selection
Committee is not explicitly seeking sports or mountain themed art proposals.
● Compatibility with Site: Proposed artworks should be compatible in style, scale, material,
and form with the Dobson Arena. Preference will be given to artworks that emphasize
durability and longevity. Preference will also be given to artworks that thoughtfully relate in
design to the specific location Dobson Arena—i.e. through the architecture, geography, light
qualities, physical attributes, etc.
● Feasibility: The proposed production timeline and budget should be appropriate for the
artwork.
Molly recaps next steps as a result of the Jan. 22 RFP meeting:
Present two selected artist proposals and locations at Feb. 17 Town Council meeting so that
we may enter into the contract; not to move forward above the stairs as a public art location
and Molly is looking at alternate opportunities; and requesting a refined proposal for the West
Vestibule.
Kathy comments that Lindsea called members of the Art Board to reconsider their decisions
from Jan. 22 and has called for a coalition to change the jury decisions. Kathy’s concerns are
that the entire selection committee was not contacted for this discussion.
Lindsea believes the RFP selection process was rushed and not making decisions was
irresponsible given the committee’s time and expenses spent thus far.
Susanne comments that most artists were willing to have open dialogue in reviewing their
proposals and that should be pursued.
Kathy remarks that the selection committee was not prepared in advance about the site
limitations and reviewing the proposals using the stated evaluation criteria as representatives of
the community versus their personal wants.
Kirk agrees that the group needs to come together to make decisions.
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Courtney believes in an obligation to the whole community and is open to revisit spaces, artists,
and media.
Molly’s reservations about the stairwell are the constraints of the space given the low ceiling
height, proposed suspended artworks extending over the stairwell railings, physical reach,
maintenance, conservation, and the fiscal responsibility with those considerations, as well as
the adjacent location of Lewis’ memorial bench.
Jared remarks on the perspective he has from physically being in the space. There is an
artistic side to the architectural design which should be considered. He confirmed the
stairwell is extremely tight at only 5 feet width and any suspended art will be hidden behind
an existing support beam. He recommends the committee have a site visit now that the
spaces can be seen.
Molly shares updated images of the Dobson Arena from Populous:
Dobson Updated Construction Images - Populous
Molly comments that now as the building takes shape public art opportunities arise and it is
worth reevaluating how the space flows with egress from a visitor and operational standpoint.
It will be worthwhile to reevaluate locations as a responsibility to the community with the
consideration of not pursuing an artwork valued at $70,000 that will not physically work within
the space.
Tom agrees a site visit is important and given it is a significant project for the Town of Vail we
should not feel rushed in making selections.
The Selection Committee would like to see additional refined proposals from artists for the
West Vestibule which Molly will discuss with Black Cube as to how best proceed.
Kathy requests an understanding of the glass, reflectivity and glazing products from the
Populous for the West Vestibule for both daytime and evening visibility.
Molly will arrange a site visit to Dobson.
3.5 Art Studio programming
The “Conversation with Jen Stark” moderated by Ben Belgard went very well.
The Drawing Club is convening for the first time this Wednesday.
May – necessary facility maintenance so will likely not have any programs.
June – Jason Middlebrook residency
Board will further review documents outlining studio program is tabled until the March
meeting.
4. Coordinator Updates
Winterfest has been going well and has been embraced by the public. Molly compliments Alpine Ice’s
flexibility with the temperatures and changing dates. Ramsey asks why not more locations for ice
sculptures. Molly informs her this is the Winterfest location for 19 years given it is a shaded accessible
park setting in the heart of the village. We presently have had two additional ice sculptures promoting
Winterfest in Lionshead and at the Covered Bridge.
5. Adjournment